About the job

Summary

The Prime Minister’s Office enables the Prime Minster to deliver the Government’s overall priorities and to communicate the Government’s policies to Parliament, the public and international audiences. From the Policy Unit and Press Office, Switchboard and Custodians, to the Events & Visits team and the world class Private Office support; the diverse Downing Street team draws on varied expertise from across the Civil Service and beyond. The teams come together to deliver excellent service to the Prime Minister while also making No10 a great place to work.

Job description

The No 10 Policy Unit is a tight-knit group of civil servants, special advisers and expert advisers which leads on the development of the Prime Minister’s policy programme, at the heart of government. It advises the Prime Minister and his senior team on his domestic and economic policy priorities, working closely with Whitehall departments and external experts, and works on both strategic policy reform and on the biggest live issues of the day. It is a fast-paced, diverse and friendly team and offers an unrivalled opportunity to have an impact on public policy in the UK.

The role will involve 50% working as an Executive Assistant for the Director of the No 10 Policy Unit, comprising diary management, inbox management, and other related tasks. The other 50% is an assistant Private Secretary role within the Policy Unit team, taking on a range of tasks related to the running of the Policy Unit, and wider policy development in No 10.

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities include:

• Diary management for the Director of the No 10 Policy Unit – managing a busy and rapidly-changing diary, dealing with issues as they arise, and ensuring the Director of Policy Unit has up-to-date papers and briefing for all their meetings

• Inbox management for the Director of Policy Unit

• Helping to co-ordinate and project manage Policy Unit’s programme of work, including key meetings

• Managing the box note clearance process for the Policy Unit, and making sure this runs smoothly

• Helping to run aspects of the corporate work programme in Policy Unit and across No 10

• Dealing with correspondence and arranging visits on behalf of the Director of Policy Unit

The successful candidate will need:

• Exceptional organisational skills, and the ability to effectively prioritise between competing issues.

• Strong written and oral communications skills.

• Resilience and the ability to remain calm in a pressurised environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well with others in a fast-paced team environment.

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with multiple stakeholders.

• Willingness to work flexibly across the team to provide whatever support is required and take on ad hoc duties as needed.

• Attention to detail, accuracy and pride in high-quality work.

• Ability to work unsupervised when necessary.

• Ability to see the bigger picture and take the initiative.

Desirable past experience/skills

• Diary management experience is essential, and previous Private Office experience is strongly desirable

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role.

• An environment with flexible working options.

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to Interview Stage 1, which will consist of a behaviour and strengths interview.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

We may also offer ‘near-miss’ opportunities – meaning at the end of the recruitment campaign you may be offered a similar role at a lower grade.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – Late Jan

Expected interview date/s – Mid Feb

Interview location - TBC

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.


• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at here

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI (delete as appropriate: If location is in England will be DBS, Scotland will be Disclosure Scotland & Northern Ireland will be Access NI) on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.

For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.